Commercial washer



Nov. 28, 1944. E. BAGNALL 2,363,491

COMMERCIAL WASHER Fi'led Dec. 26, 194i 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Nov. 28, 1944.E. BAGNALL 2,363,491

- COMMERCIAL WASHER Fiied Dec; 26, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov.28, 1944 UNITED STATES PA NT OFFICE COMMERCIAL WASHER Edwin Bagnall,Chicago, 111. Application December 26, 1941, Serial No. 424,411

v (Cl. 141--1) I 8 Claims.

The invention relates generally to' a washer and more particularly to acontinuous'or conveyor type washer for machine parts or the like.

Generally the things or parts to be cleansed by a washer of the typedescribed are coated with grease or with other materials, the removal ofwhich is most diflicult. To cut the grease or tinuous or conveyor typewashers have been ineffective because, limited as they are to the reuseof the cleansing fluid, they have been unable to obtain a sufficientvolume of fluid flowing over the parts to be cleansed, Moreover, theyhave been unable to obtain sufiicient force in the fluid toenable it tohave a mechanical action in loosening the grease or other dirtparticles,

It is a general object of this invention, therefore, to provide a newand improved washer of the character described. I

A more particular object of the invention is to-provide a washer of thecharacter described capable of discharging large quantities of fiuidover the parts and of discharging the fluid at such force that incombination with the large quantity of fluid'it acts mechanically todislodge the grease or other dirt particles.

Another object is to provide a washer having an elongatedtank free oftransverse partitions, so as to permit employment therein of a conveyorextending longitudinally of the washer- Another object is to provide awasher having an elongated tank and a vconveyor extending longitudinallythereof and new and improved means for discharging large quantities ofcleansing fluid onto the top of the conveyor from both sides of thetank.

Stillanother object is to provide a washer having an elongated,partition-free inner tank, an elongated outer tank in which the innertank is received in spaced relation and partitions between the bottomsof said tanks equally spaced longitudinally to divide the space into aplurality of individual impeller blade'chambers.

A further object is to provide a washer having elongated inner and outertanks in spaced relation, partitions between the bottoms of said tanksto divide the space into a plurality of individual impeller bladechambers, an impeller blade in eachchamber, and a removable plate foreach chamber forming part of the bottom of the outer tank closing anopening through which the blade is removable.

Still a further object is to provide a washer having an impeller chamberin the bottom thereof, an openingthrough which the impeller may beinserted or withdrawn and a removable plate closing the opening, theplate having a bearing forming a journal for. the impeller shaft andmaking the impeller removable as a unit with the'plate- Other objectsand taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: a

Fig. l is a side elevationalview of a pair of washers embodying thefeatures of this invention, arranged in end to end relationship andassembled to form a complete washing system.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately along theline'2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedtransverse sectional view taken approximately alongthe line 33 of Figs. 1 and 2. I Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan viewdrawn to the same scale as Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately along the line6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along'theline 'l-'| of Fig. 2. =-While the invention issusceptible of variousmodifications and alternative constructions, it is herein'shown andwillhereinafter be described in a preferred embodiment and as adaptedfor a preferred use. It is not intended, however, that the invention isto be limited'thereby to the specific construction disclosed. On thecontrary, it is intended to cover all modifications 'or alternativeconstructions or uses, asindicated by the scope and spirit of theappended claims.

Though the washer herein disclosed and claimed might be employed for avariety of uses, it will-hereinafter be described as adapted for apreferred use, namely, the cleansing of machine parts or the like.Referring now to the drawings, particularly Fig. 1 thereof, the washercomprises an outer, long and comparatively narrow tank, generalllydesignated Ill, an inner, long and narrow tank H, conveyor means I 2,and'fiuid circulating or pumping means, generally designated advantageswill become apparent from the following detailed description 13. Theouter tank H], as stated, is long and narrow, having imperforate end andside walls l4 and I5, respectively, and a bottom wall IS. The tank isadapted to be supported a suitable distance above the floor and to thatend there are provided at the ends and at suitably spaced intervals,legs I! depending from the tank If] and secured (see Fig. 3) as bywelding of a flange l8 to the bottom walllG of the outer tank.Preferably strengthening the flange I8 is a web IS.

The second or inner tank is also long and narrow and is just slightlysmaller in dimensions than the outer tank so as to be receivable withinthe outer tank in slightly spaced relation thereto. Like the outer tank,the inner tank II has end and side walls 20 and 2|, respectively, which,as here shown, also are imperforate. Preferably the walls areimperforate though some perforations may be provided in the walls nearthe top edge thereof. The tank II also has a bottom wall 22 which isprovided with perforations 23. While these perforations may take anyconfiguration, they preferably are formed as groups of concentriccircles of increasing diameter; each group of circles having its centerpoint on the longitudinal center line of the tank with the center pointsequally spaced lngitudinally. The purpose of this particular arrangement'will become more apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

With the washer constructed in accordance with this invention, the innertank ll may be completely free of partitions, thus lending itself forthe mounting therein of the conveyor I2. The conveyor l2 may take anywell known form and will not bedescribed in detail. Suffice it to say,therefore, that it is composed of a plurality of boards or plates 25secured to links 26 forming parallel chains 21 running over suitablepairs of sprocket wheels 28 and 29. Projecting outwardly from each linkof the chain is a pin bearing a roller 30 received in channel members 3!secured on the side walls 2| of the tank II to provide guides andsupports for the conveyor. The sprocket wheels 28 are fixed on a freelyrotatable shaft 32 extending transversely of the washer and journaled atits ends in bearings 33 secured to the side walls of the inner tank sothat the sprockets are located well within the inner tank. The sprocketwheels 29 are fixed on a shaft 34 journaled in a frame 35 extendingabove and to the left of the tanks, as seen in Fig. 1. Also fixed on theshaft 34 is a drive sprocket 36 engaged by a drive chain 31.

It is desirable that the cleansing operation be as nearly automatic andcontinuous as possible, with a minimum handling of the articles beingcleaned. end that the sprocket wheels 29, and hence one end of theconveyor, are here shown as disposed well above both tanks, as well asbeyond the end of the outer tank l0. Parts carried by the conveyor willby this arrangement be carried outwardly and beyond the tank where theymay be automatically discharged onto some other conveyor or table. Eachplate 25, as best seen in Fig. 4, is formed with an elongated slot 38 topermit the fluid discharged onto the carrier readily to passtherethrough. Each plate is also formed along its trailing edge, as bestseen in Fig. 5, with an angle iron 39 to hold the articles in positionas the conveyor passes upwardly from within the tank around the sprocketwheels 29.

It is desirable and one of the objects of this It is for theaccomplishment of that invention to provide means for dischargingcleansing fluid over the articles on the conveyor with such force and insuch quantities as to cause the fluid to act mechanically as well aschemically on the grease and other dirt, and thereby aid in the removalthereof. To obtain such discharge of cleansing fluid in large quantitiesthroughout the entire length of both sides of the washer, novel meansare employed. The importance ofthis means is best appreciated if it isremembered that the large quantity of fluid discharged must be obtainedby recirculation, since the fluid is too expensive to be used but once.As previously stated, the inner tank H is just slightly smaller in alldimensions than the tank In so as to be received within the tank 10 inspaced relation thereto. Accordingly, as

best seen in Figs. 3 and 5, the side walls and end also is in spacedrelation to the bottom of the' outer tank, the spacing between thebottoms being preferably slightly greater than'the spacing between thewalls.

Extending transversely of the outer tank [0 in the space between thebottom thereof and the bottom of the inner tank are a plurality ofpartitions 40, best seen in Fig. 5. The partitions are equally spacedlongitudinally of the outer tank so as to divide the space between thebottoms of the tanks into a plurality of approximately square chambersfor the reception of pump or impeller means, as will presently bedescribed. The partitions 40 also serve the additional purpose ofsupporting the inner tank in the proper spaced relation to the bottom ofthe outer tank, and to that end are preferably given an I-beam crosssection to provide a plurality of areas on which the inner tank rests.

Preferably, the partitions are welded or otherwise secured to both thebottom wall of the outer tank and the bottom wall of the inner tank,though the inner tank may merely rest upon the partitions without beingrigidly secured thereto. Extending upwardly from each partition 40, inthe space between the side walls of the inner and outer tanks, aredividing members 4| (see Figs. 2 and 3) which terminate with their upperends flush with the upper edge of the side walls of the inner tank.These members 4| with the partitions 40 thus complete the division ofthe space between the tanks into separate units or compartments.Additionally interposed in the space between the side walls of the tanksare a plurality of vanes or fins 42, which at their upper ends may, andpreferably do, terminateshort of the upper edge of the side walls of theinner tank. As here shown, three such vanes or fins 42 are provided oneach side for each unit, that is, between adjacent dividing members 4|.At their lower ends, the vanes terminate at progressively lower points,considered in the direction of rotation of the impeller means. This isshown in Fig. 7, wherein the first of the three vanes 42 projects justslightly below the bottom of the inner tank with the second orintermediate vane projecting about half way of the space between thebottoms of the tanks, and the third vane projects 46 by means such as akey 49.

downwardly to the extent of being-Spaced from the bottom wall of theouter tankapproximately the same distance that the'first of the vanesprojects beneath the bottom wall of the inner tank. An equal number ofvanes is'interposed in the space between the end walls of the tanks.These vanes, however, unlike thevanes between the side walls of thetank, all project the same distance below the bottom.wall of the. innertank, that distance being about one-half the space between the tanks..The function of these vanes will presently. become more apparent.

.The impellermeans, herein generally designated 43, comprises a hub =44from which project a plurality, herein four, blades 45. These blades arecurved in a direction receding from the direction of rotation of theimpeller, that is, the tips of the blades trail the'blades at theirconnection with the hub. The leading face of each blade is concave andeach .blade, moreovenis so disposed that its'uppe edgeleads the loweredge- Thus, as the impeller is rotated, the blades create at the centerof the impeller-a reduced pressure drawing fluid from the inner tankthrough the perforations inthe bottom thereof into the impeller chamberor. space between the bottoms of the, tanks and then force the fluidoutwardly against the walls of the impeller chamber. With the fluid thusforced outwardly against the walls of the impeller chamber, the

vanes 42 will causethe fluid to rise upwardly in the space between thewalls of the tanks. Inasmuch as in all .of the units except the twoendmost units fluid an be discharged only from two sides, it ipreferable to have thevanes 42 so arranged that the distribution of thefluid will be uniform rather than having all of the fluid from one ofthe inoperative sides intercepted by the first vane on the adjacentside. Hence the variation inlength of the blades 42, as previouslydescribed. v

The impeller need not, and preferably does not, have actual contact witheither the bottom of the inner tank or the bottom of the outer tank, norneed it have, and it preferably does not have, any contact with thewalls of the impeller chamber. The impeller is, as a matter of fact, asreadily seen in Figs. 2, 3 and16; of a diameter smaller even than thewidth of 'the inner tank. The impeller is, of course, locatedconcentrically with respect to the circles of perforations 23 in thebottom of the inner tank.

In order that the impeller may be driven, it is formed with a bore inwhich is received the end .of a stub shaft 46 journaled in a bearing 41formed integral with'a closure plate 48. The impeller is non-rotatablysecured on the shaft Herein ready insertion or withdrawal of theimpeller for inspection, repair or replacement is effected. To that end,the bottom wall of the outer tank is formed with a plurality of squareopenings 50, one for each impeller chamber. This opening is large topermit the ready insertion and withdrawal of the impeller and is closedby the plate 48 secured in position by meanssuch as bolts 5!. It isunderstood, Of course, that a gasket (not shown) will be interposedbetween the plate 48 and the bottom wall of the outer tank in order toeffect a fluid-tight joint between the plate and the bottom wallof thetank. It is also to be understood that the bearing 41 will containsuitable packing material to prevent leakage of the fluid outwardlyalong the shaft 46. With this construction, the impeller is removable asa unit with the plate 48 facilitating repair or replacement All of theimpellers are here shown as driven from a common source of power. Thisdrive means includes an electric motor 52 connected through a sprocket53 on the end of the motor shaft and a chain 54 with a driving sprocket55 rigidon one end of a shaft 56 extending longitudinally of the washer.This shaft is journaled in the spaced bearings 51 provided in crossmembers 58 extending between each pair of legs 11. -Each of these crossmembers 58 also provides a bearing 59 for one end of a shaft 60 adaptedto' be connected by a coupling 6| to the stub shaft'lfi. Non-rotatablymounted on each of the shafts 66 is a bevel gear 62 meshing with a bevelgear.63 non-rotatably secured on the shaft 56; The shaft 56 may also beadapted to drive the conveyor l2 through the chain 31.

The fluid issuing from the space between the walls of the inner .andouter tanks, as a result of the rotation of the impeller, is directedin- Wardly onto the conveyor and the articles mounted thereon by meansof an annular ring or flange 65 which is supported on the outer tanknear the top edge thereof and extends inwardly somewhat beyond the wallsof the inner-tank, andmaintains with the edge of the walls of the innertank a spacing approximately equal to thespacing between the walls ofthe tanks. Preferably, the ring is slightly concave so as to facilitatethe changing in the course of the fluid directing it inwardly. anddownwardly onto the conveyor.

It is'believed apparent from the foregoing, first of all, that theinvention permits the employment of an inner tank free of partitions,thus adapting it for reception of' a conveyor enabling the cleansingoperation to be made continuous and Without necessity of handling of thearticles, and without shut-down necessitated by such handling. Atthesame time, provision is made for the employment of a plurality of theimpellers, making possible the discharge of such a large quantity offluid at a considerable force. This discharge of fluid throughout theentire length of the washer and is in such volume and force as to givemechanical aid in the dislodgement and removal of the dirt or grease, aswellas the chemical action produced by the compound in the fluid.Provision is also made for the ready removal or replacement of theimpellers and for the uniform respects the same as the washer justdescribed save that the conveyor projects out of the inner tank at bothends. Such a washer is usually employed in conjunction with one likethat described in detail, being arranged in end to said relationshiptherewith so as to receive from the conveyor l2 the articles beingcleansed. Usually the washer 66 contains a rinsing solution or plainwater. The conveyor of ,washer 66 may be driven from the chain 3'l, thesame as the conveyor l2, so as to travel at the same speed. I claim s myinvention:

1. A washer comprising an elongated outer tank having bottom, end andside walls, an elongated and undivided inner tank having bottom,

end and side walls, said inner tank being smaller in dimension than saidouter tank to be received in the outer tank with the walls of the tanksin is uniform spaced relation, a conveyor in said inner tank forconveying the articles to be washed, said conveyor having two coursesboth of which are in said inner tank, a plurality of partitionsextending transversely of said outer tank inthe space between the bottomwalls spaced longitudinally of said outer tank to divide the space intoa plurality of impeller chambers, perforations in the bottom wall ofsaid inner tank, an impeller in each chamber operable when rotating todraw fluid into the impeller chamber through the perforations anddischarge fluid through the space between the side walls of the tanks,and means for driving said impellers and said conveyor.

2. A washer comprising an elongated outer tank havingbottom, end andside walls, an elongated inner tank having end and side walls and aperforate bottom wall, said inner tank being undivided so as to permitoperation therewithin of a conveyor and being smaller in dimension thansaid'outer tank to be received in the outer tank with the walls of thetanks in spaced relation to form fluid conducting passages, plurality ofpartitions extending transversely of said outer tank in the spacebetween the bottom walls and spaced longitudinally of said outer tank todivide the space into a plurality of impeller chambers, Verticallydisposed members extending upwardly from the top edge of each partitionat each end thereof in the space between the side walls of said tanks,an'impeller in each chamber operable when rotating to draw fluid intothe impeller chamber through the perforations in the bottom wall of saidinner tank and discharge fluid upwardly through the space between theside walls of the tanks, and means for driving said impellers.

3. A washer comprising an elongated outer tank having bottom, end andside walls, an elongated inner tank having end and side walls and aperforate bottom wall, said inner tank being undivided so as to permitoperation therewithin of a conveyer and being smaller in dimension thansaid outer tank to be received in the outer tank with the walls of thetanks in spaced relation to form fluid conducting passages, a pluralityof partitions extending transversely of said outer tank in the spacebetween the bottom walls and spaced longitudinally of said outer tank todivide the space into a plurality of impeller chambers, a dividingmember extending upwardly from each end of said partitions between theside walls of said tanks to the top edge of said inner, tank, verticallydisposed vanes positioned in the space between the side walls of saidtanks, sand vanes being spaced longitudinally and at their lower endsprojecting into the impeller chamber but short of the bottom wall ofsaid outer tank, and at their upper ends terminating short of the topedge of said inner tank, an impeller in each chamber operable whenrotatingto draw fluid into the impeller chamber hrough the perforationsin the bottom wall of said inner tankand discharge fluid upwardlythrough the space betweenthe side walls of the tanks, and means fordriving said impellers.

4. A washer comprising an elongated outer tank having bottom, end andside walls, an elongated inner tank having end and side walls and aperforate bottom wall, said inner tank being undivided so as to permitoperation therewithin of a conveyor and being smaller in dimension thansaid outer tank to be received in 'the outer tank with the walls of thetanks in spaced relation'to form fluid conducting passages, a pluralityof partitions extending transversely of said outer tankin the spacebetween the bottom walls and spaced longitudinally of said outer tank todivide the space into a, plurality of impeller chambers, a dividingmember extending upwardly from each end of said partitions between theside walls of said tanks to the top edge of said inner tank, verticallydisposed vanes positioned in the space between the side walls of saidtanks, said vanes being spaced longitudinally and at their lower endsprojecting into the impeller chamber but short of the bottom wall ofsaid outer tank, and at their upper ends terminating short of the topedge of said inner tank, a, flange extending inwardly from the sidewalls of said outer tank spaced above the top edge of said inner tank,an impeller in each chamber operable when rotating to draw fluid intothe impeller chamber through the perforations in the bottom wall of saidinner tank and discharge fluid upwardly through the space between theside walls of the tanks, and means for driving said impellers.

5. A washer comprising an elongated outer tank having bottom, end andside walls, an elongated inner tank having end and side walls and aperforate bottom wall, said inner tank being undivided so as to permitoperation therewithin of a conveyor and being smaller in dimension thansaid outer tank to be received in the outer tank with the walls of thetanks in spaced relation to form fluid conducting passages, a pluralityof partitions extending transversely of said outer tank in the spacebetween the bottom walls and spaced longitudinally of said outer tank todivide the space into a plurality of impeller chambers, a dividingmember extending upwardly from each end of said partitions in the spacebetween the side walls of said tanks to the top of said inner tank, animpeller in each chamber operable when rotating to draw fluid into theimpeller chamber through the perforations in the bottom of said innertank and to discharge fluid upwardly through the space between the sidewalls of said tanks, means for driving said impellers, and verticallydisposed vanes in the space between the side walls of said tanks withthe vanes for each impeller chamber projecting progressively fartherinto the impeller chamber considered in the direction of rotation of theimpeller. j

6. A washer comprising an elongated outer tank having bottom, end andside walls, an elon-- gated inner tank having end and side walls and aperforate bottom wall, said inner tank being undivided so as to permitoperation therewithin of a conveyor and being smaller in dimension thansaid outer tank to be received in the outer tank with the walls of thetanks in spaced relation to form fluid conducting passages, a pluralityof partitions extending transversely of said outer tank in the spacebetween the bottom walls and spaced longitudinally of said outer tank todivide the space into a plurality of impeller chambers, an impeller ineach chamber operable when rotating to draw fluid into the impellerchamber through the perforations and discharge fluid upwardly throughthe space between the side walls of said tanks, an opening for eachimpeller chamber large enough for the flatwise passage therethrough ofsaid impeller formed in the bottom wall of said outer tank, a removableplate secured over said opening and having a bearing for the impellershaft, andmeans for driving said impeller. 7. A washer comprising anelongated outer tank having bottom, end andside walls, an

elongated inner tank having sidewalls and a perforate bottom wall, saidinner tank being undivided so as to permit operation therewithin of aconveyor, and, in width at least; being smaller than said outer tank tobe received in the outer tank with the bottom wall spaced from thebottom wall of the outer tank and with the side walls of the tanks inspaced relation toform. fluid conducting passages, a plurality ofpartitions extending transversely of said outer tank in the spacebetween the bottom walls and spaced, longitudinally of said outer tankto divide the space into a plurality of impeller chambers, verticallydisposed members extending upwardly from the top edge of each partitionat each end thereof in the space between the vside walls of said tanks,an impeller in each chamber operable when rotating to draw fluid intothe impeller chamber through the perforations in the bottom wall of saidinner tank and discharge fluid upwardly through the spacebetween theside walls 01 the tanks, and means for driving said impellers.

8. A washer comprising an elongated outer tank having bottom, end andside walls, an elon- "gated inner tank having side walls and a perforatebottom wall, said inner tank being undivided so as to permit operationtherewithin of a conveyor and, in width at least, being smallerthan saidouter tank. to be received in the outer tank with the bottom wall spacedfrom the bottom wall of the outer tank and with the side walls of thetanks in spaced relation to form fluid con- I .tating to draw fluid intothe impeller chamber through the perforations in the bottom wall oi saidinner tank and discharge fluid upwardly through the space between theside walls of the tanks, and means for drivingsaid impellers. EDWINBAGNALL.

